The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-22
VENERABLE BUT LAUGHABLE.
The Clever Cadet and the Court
Martial
From the Philadelphia Times.

Martial.
From the Philadelphia Times
Years ago hazing was very common at
West Point, but is now pretty nearly
abolished. The officers of the academy have
tried hard to wipe it out entirely and have
about succeeded. The most that new cadets
have now to do is occasionally to stand on their
heads in one of the streets of the camp or some
small penalty like that. OF course, if tho
officers of the day should see the older cadet
compelling the younger one to do this the
former would be promptly punished.
Sometimes they are caught, and then trouble
and dement's follow. Another penalty is to
compel the young cadets, when the table
stewards in the mess hall are not looking, to
put the butter remaining on the plate at the
close of the meal in their pocket. The best
way in such cases is for the young cadet to
submit TO the joke as well as he can. 1t is
the easiest way. Young Logan did not
graduate at the academy. He was there
nearly two years and was well liked by his
companions, but some of his wild oats were of
rank variety and had not been sown, and
gotten rid of before he entered the academy.
West Point is bad place to sow wild oats,
as Logan and many young fellows have
found to their sorrow. The Senator's son
was dismissed one day. His mother felt
very badly for his disgrace, but he never
seemed to mind il. 1t was very wrong of him
to cause his mother pain, but he has ample
opportunity to make amends, and as he has
now sowed his oats and become fine young
fellow, he will no douot make full amends
Sometimes when the offense of cadets are
very fragrant court martials are called to
try them. These are composed of army
officers, who sit in trial like judge and jury
when the offender is in civil, instead of in
aVfi nj
often very funny. Once there was young
ster who had acted so perfectly outrage
ously that he knew he would be dismissed at
the approaching examination, so he deter
mined to have good time before he left.
On the grounds was an old disused shed of
some kind, and in it young hopeful piled all
the shavings, rags and everything else com
bustible he could get, and one fine night he
set match TO il and had magnificent
bonfire of his own. OF course suspicion
pointed TO him, and court of inquiry was
organized to investigate the outrage Gen.
Thayer was superintendent and Col Fry
commandant OF cadets. When the prisoner
was called up for examination before the
court, composed Of officers of high rank.
imposing in the majesty of the law, he was
asked To state what he knew about the fire
IL don't know anything myself but
what is hearsay testimony, and you won't
admit that" he replied.
1.-THE Court does not desire your views on
hearsay testimony" severely remarked the
prosecutor. You are directed TO state
what may have come to your knowledge re-
garding the affair"
well, but" objected the culprit, II don't
know anything about it, and what heard
don't believe"
1.-THE Court sir,n thundered the officer
''has not inquired into your belief You will
Immediately state what you heard.n
'But-but-you don't believe me, either"
BY that time the Court was in a rage.
Go on sir, roared several officers together.
well, they do say stammered the cadet
.difiidently that Gen. Thayer got the shay
ings and old Fry set 'em afire.n